After 24 years in politics North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson has resigned.
He is the only person to have held the position after it was create in 1997 after it was created from the Oswestry constituency which was held by Conservative John Biffen for more than 30 years.
During his time as an MP, Mr Paterson served as Northern Ireland Scretary and Environment Secretary.
He was a staunch supporter of Brexit.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I am very sad that Parliament will lose the services of Owen Paterson who has been a friend and colleague of mine for decades,” Mr Johnson said.
“He has had a distinguished career, serving in two Cabinet positions, and above all he has been a voice for freedom – for free markets and free trade and free societies – and he was an early and powerful champion of Brexit.
“I know that this must have been a very difficult decision but I can understand why – after the tragic circumstances in which he lost his beloved wife Rose – he has decided to put his family first.”
